Virtual histology based on 3D X-ray microscopy imaging for non-destructive age-at-death estimation of incinerated teeth from the Tophet of Motya (Sicily, 6th century BC)

Authors

  • Martina Trocchi Sapienza University of Rome
  • Luciano Fattore Center for Research and Services Saperi&Co, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Flavio Cognigni Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering – SBAI, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Federico Cappella Department “Italian Institute of Oriental Studies – ISO”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Silvia Capuani National Research Council ─ Institute for Complex Systems – ISC CNR, Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • Marco Rossi Research Center on Nanotechnologies Applied to Engineering – CNIS, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Giorgio Manzi Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Federica Spagnoli Department “Italian Institute of Oriental Studies – ISO”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v13i3.1818

Keywords:

Age-at-death estimation, XRM imaging, Virtual histology, Neonatal line, Motya Tophet

Abstract

The reconstruction of infant biological history and mortality profiles provides biocultural insights into adulthood morbidity, maternal health, parental caregiving practices, and social dynamics. However, interpreting biological data from cremated infant remains in archaeological contexts can be challenging due to their often poor preservation and potential biases. Tophets, sanctuaries for distinct burial of cremated infant remains present in several Phoenician-Punic colonies in the Mediterranean area, offer an ideal case study. This study presents the first virtual histology performed in X-ray Microscopy-based imaging (XRM) on a sample of crowns of cremated deciduous teeth from the Tophet of Motya (Sicily, 6th century BC). The observation of the Neonatal Line (NL) in enamel tissue offers important informations on the community demographic profile, age-at-death classes and life-histories of the buried individuals. Results are consistent with previous studies on other human remains found in the main Tophets in Mediterranean basin and highlight the importance of using non-invasive techniques to collect and analyse data that are useful for the interpretation of newborns and infants burial practices.

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Published

2024-09-12

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Martina Trocchi, Luciano Fattore, Flavio Cognigni, Federico Cappella, Silvia Capuani, Marco Rossi, Giorgio Manzi, Federica Spagnoli

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